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A multi-million pound road scheme which will improve the blue light route to the hospital and unlock key sites for development in the Leighton area of Crewe has moved a step closer.

Cheshire East Council 's cabinet authorised the use of compulsory purchase powers, if necessary, for the delivery of the North West Crewe Package (NWCP) which will pave the way for the construction of approximately 1,350 homes, improve the highways network and provide access to future developments identified in the adjacent area.

It also gave the go ahead for the council to enter into an infrastructure delivery agreement.

(Image: Cheshire East Council)

The proposal includes a north-south spine road, the realignment of Smithy Lane, an east-west link road from the A530 Middlewich Road to the spine road and a number of junction improvements.

Deputy council leader Craig Browne, said: “The proposals which are included in the Cheshire East Local Plan Infrastructure Delivery Plan include the realignment of Smithy Lane.”

He said the new road package was close to Leighton Hospital ‘which is obviously important because the scheme will also proide an improved blue light route to the hospital’.

“While the scheme will bring a number of benefits to the area, including clearly a much improved highway network north west of Crewe, as well as supporting the Crewe Masterplan and HS2 growth strategy, it will also involve the temporary closure of [part of] Middlewich Road, that’s the A530, while some works are being undertaken to the railway bridge,” said Cllr Browne.

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“To replace Middlewich Road as the primary route through to Leighton Hospital there will be a new east-west link road and that will connect up with an equally new spine road.

“The new east-west link road will be accompanied also by a series of roundabout and junction improvements.”

The cabinet also gave the go ahead for the council to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire land needed for the scheme, if necessary.

Cllr Browne said: “It’s intended that the council will acquire all the land, of course, by agreement where possible. It will only look to use compulsory purchase powers as a last resort...

“Although an agreement has been reached with the principal landowner, this is conditional upon the landowner securing planning consent for a housing development that is satisfactory to them.”

He added: “In the event the scheme is not undertaken, the north west of Crewe could be expected to suffer from increasing levels of congestion, further constrained access to Leighton Hospital and indeed the Bentley Motors site as well.”